Vixen Optics SXP overview

1Description

Vixen Optics improved on their Sphinx SXP Go-To EQ Mount by adding the Star Book Ten computer control system and PF-L polar axis alignment scope to help you get set up and observing faster. The Sphinx mount is built in a center-balanced design so that the mount itself acts as part of the counterbalance system, allowing smaller and/or lighter optical tube assemblies (OTAs) to be mounted without the use of the counterweights. Dual-axis stepper motors, 180-tooth brass worm wheels, and ball bearings provide smooth and precise tracking abilities with little to no vibrations.

The included polar axis scope has an illuminated star-pattern reticle that requires the user to simply superimpose the star pattern over the three prominent stars over the North Pole for proper polar alignment. With this simple alignment done, the Star Book Ten (SB10) controller can be used to provide full GoTo capabilities with a color display and intuitive menu system. Outfitted with an internal and updatable database of over 272,000 objects, the SB10 offers phased star charts, customized guided tours of the night sky, and the ability to program out tracking errors with Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) and Vixen Periodic Error Correction (VPEC) and backlash to improve the precision of the tracking system during long-duration observation sessions.

The addition of the HAL 130SXG tripod completes this observation rig, so all that is required is an optical tube assembly with a Vixen-style dovetail plate. It is made out of lightweight and durable aluminum to offer stability when open while maintaining its portability if it has to be carried any distance to the observation site. Its two-section legs adjust from 25 to 39" to accommodate a wide variety of users, and it folds up to just 32 inches. The mount and tripod have a maximum payload capacity of 50 pounds for observation purposes, but if this rig will be used for astrophotography or imaging, Vixen recommends the max payload be kept to 35 pounds plus the counterweights.

Mount

Motorized German equatorial design

Vixen-style dovetail saddle accepts any compatible OTA

Center balanced so the mount acts as part of counterbalance system

When using smaller OTAs, counterweights might not be required

Azimuth adjustment:

±7°, fine adjustment

Twin tangent knobs, 1.2° per rotation

Altitude adjustment:

0 to 70°

Three altitude zone settings for easier adjustment

2° increment scale

Twin T-bar adjustment handles: 0.8° per rotation

35-pound payload capacity plus counterweights

20mm retractable counterweight bar

4.2-pound counterweight

8.15-pound counterweight

Runs on 12 VDC power supply

Motors and Gears

Dual stepping (pulse) motors, 250PPS (pulse per second)

9mm diameter, brass worm gears

Right ascension and declination gears:

180-tooth 360° micro-movement gear

72mm diameter

Brass wheel

Right ascension and Declination axes:

40mm diameter

Carbon steel

15 ball bearings reduce vibrations and allow for smooth tracking

Star Book Ten Computer Controller

5" TFT full-color display

Phased star charts display only relevant info for what is visible overhead

Automatic GoTo Slewing

Sidereal tracking and different tracking rates for the Sun, Moon, planets, comets, and artificial satellites

Proprietary Vixen Periodic Error Protection (VPEC):

Intrinsic errors are measured and entered into memory at the factory for precision tracking out of the box

Use with PPEC to boost tracking performance

Permanent Periodic Error Correction (PPEC) enables you to train out tracking errors for more accurate tracking over extended periods of time, such as long-exposure astrophotography

Backlash compensation allows you to train out the play inherent in all gears for more precise tracking

LAN port to update database via Internet

Powered by mount via controller cable

Database:

272,342 objects

NC objects: 784

IC objects: 5386

Messier objects:109

7 planets

1 quasi-planet

Moon and Sun

Polarie PF-L Polar Axis Scope

6x power magnifies view while maintaining a wide angle of view

20mm objective lens diameter

Ease of use: In the Northern Hemisphere, align three bright stars with the corresponding pattern on the scope's illuminated reticle

No need to set hour angle

Red illumination allows reticle to be easily seen without affecting night-adjusted vision